Also known as the Cuckoo Flower (because it appears at the fist sound of the cuckoo), Meadowcress, Pigeon's Eye, Lucy Locket, Mayflower, and Bittercress. The name Lady's Smock derives from Tudor times because of the resemblance to ladies' smocks. Hardy perennial and member of the Cabbage family. Tall stems with small, four-petalled pale pink or white flowers.Its name probably comes from the Greek "kardia", meaning heart, and "damao", meaning to subdue - referring to its early use in treating heart problems.
It was believed hundreds of years ago to be beneficial to the heart. Leaves were used in salads when lettuce was scarce. Contains a lot of vitamin C (15 times more than in a lemon) and so was used in the eighteenth-century as a remedy against scurvy, fever and epilepsy. Has also been eaten as a watercress substitute - the leaves have a peppery taste.
In Elizabethan times, Lady's Smock was used to make starch for ruffles. It was also deemed unlucky to have the plant indoors, or woven into May Day garlands. However, being a fairy plant and so best left alone there were places where people would not knowingly weave it into May Day garlands. Fresh tubers can be used in love spells. In Ireland, it was believed that a human or animal born on May Day would have an Evil Eye. This could be prevented by bathing the eye with the juice of Lady's Smock.
In France, the plant wasn't used as May Day decoration because it was believed to be the favourite plant of adders and if you picked it you would be bitten by one within a year. If you lived in Germany and picked the plant, then your house would be struck by lightning.
Found naturally in damp meadows and by streams, it has sprays of delicate pale lilac flowers consisting of four petals, standing at 12 - 20 in (30 - 50 cm) high. Flowers May to July.
Attractive to bees and other insects. The larvae and adult Orange-tip butterfly and Green Veined White butterfly use it as a food plant.
Ideal plant for the edge of a pond. Spreads well. Plant out in September or October, or even late winter, in rich, moist soil and partial shade. Keep well watered. Cut back in autumn. Divide clumps if necessary in late autumn. Produces bud-like plantlets on its basal leaves which root and form new plants.
*This sheet is provided for information only and is in no way a prescription for use. Please seek the advice of a qualified herbalist before using*
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